UNITED STATES — Got plans for National Park Week?
Each year, the National Park Service celebrates National Park Week with a series of events and programs across its 429 national park sites. This year, the celebration kicks off on Saturday, April 20, with entrance fees waived at parks across the country.
This could prove to be fortuitous timing for early-bird Yellowstone National Park visitors. Select park roads will open to the public for the season on Friday, April 19.
Grand Teton National Park is not technically open for the season quite yet, but Teton Park Road is open to cyclists, joggers, walkers, rollerbladers and more until the park opens to motor vehicles on May 1. Those who wish to recreate on the park road still need to pay an entrance fee, so Saturday will offer the chance to enter for free.
This Saturday marks the second of six fee-free days in the parks this year. In January, visitors could enter parks for free on MLK Day. Visitors can also gain free admission on June 19 for Juneteenth (the first time the National Park Service has observed this holiday in this way), on Aug. 4 in honor of the Great American Outdoors Act, on Sept. 28 to observe National Public Lands Day and on Nov. 11 for Veterans Day.
In years past, National Park Week celebrations have followed weeklong themes, including “Your Park Story” and “sPark?Connections.” This year, each day of the celebration will have its own theme, offering activities for visitors and opportunities to volunteer:
Saturday, April 20: Discovery
Sunday, April 21: Volunteers
Monday, April 22: Earth Day
Tuesday, April 23: Innovation
Wednesday, April 24: Workforce Wednesday
Friday, April 26: Community Connections
Saturday, April 27: Junior Ranger Day
Sunday, April 28: Arts in Parks
See the National Park Service website for further information.
